:I just bought a flordia softshelled turtle I am wondering if I can buy alot of gravel and make a pile where it can stick its hear out of the water and a spot where it is deeper

Hello Dillon;

If you buy gravel be certain to buy a non abrasive type - sand is much better than most pet shop gravel for softshells. Generally just piling it up so they can stick their head out of the water is not enough. You need to provide a place where they can bask, allowing them to dry out and get UVB light as well.

We have a general care sheet for softshells at http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/softshellcare.htm (it's starting to look like we should do one dedicated to just Florida softies) or you can reach that care sheet and 40+ others by going to the link below and clicking on "care sheets".